GREENWICH — Auto thefts in the community have been ramping up, as police recorded eight stolen cars in the first half of November alone — and three overnight Monday.

Police responded to the northwest corner of town, the Pemberwick section, early Monday, to investigate the latest string of thefts. Two vehicles — a 2008 GMC Sierra and a 2012 Honda Pilot — were stolen from Hollow Wood Lane. Not far away on Monica Road, a 2017 Chevrolet Cruze was stolen.

Police Chief James Heavey referred to the latest spate of thefts as a “dramatic increase.”

He said the practice of leaving vehicles unlocked, with keys inside, was endangering the community. Car thieves were looking for opportunities, he said, and easy-to-steal cars provided them.

Please: if you insist on keeping a clunker, lock it up; stories like this make us look like Norwalk or, God forfend, Stamford.